Pacman revs up Baguio training

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao’s training in the highlands gets tougher now as it enters a higher level less than five weeks before he faces Mexican Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas.

The next two weeks will be critical for the boxing champion turned congressman.

“We’re taking everything to the next level and his training including his diet will be enhanced,” said conditioning coach Alex Ariza after their six-round closed door sparring session Tuesday afternoon.

This will also mean that Pacquiao will be doing work twice as heavy as before, especially with the speed ball, speed drills and biometrics training, Ariza added.

Ariza showed confidence that Pacquiao will be at 100 percent a week before D-day on Nov. 14.

“He is still around 60 percent but in the next two weeks, Manny will be making his move from sparring to conditioning,” added Ariza.

Tuesday was a usual training day for Pacquiao who finished sparring with a taller Michael Medina who was all praises for the Filipino ring icon.

“Every sparring session, he’s getting faster and stronger although he’s not yet 100 percent. But I think he is getting there,” said Medina.

Pacquiao arrived in Baguio from Manila Monday evening after two days in the lowlands, running with 120,000 runners for the Pasig River advocacy race and some important meetings.

Pacquiao knows that it’s time to step up in training.

“Talagang kailangan nang magfocus at dapat maabot yung dapat maabot,” Pacquiao said after the sparring.

Amir Khan, who is also in the summer capital to beef up Pacquiao’s training camp, also said he was impressed with Pacquiao.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight champion said, “Pacquiao is looking good, he’s looking strong and he trained really very hard today.”

Khan may end up sparring with Pacquiao next week.

Khan will also use his sparring with Pacquiao as he prepares for his title defense against Argentina’s Marcos Maidana on Dec. 11.